Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has defended the Kano State Government’s reported ₦1.5 billion spending on mass weddings, describing the use of public funds to support marriage as a legitimate part of good governance in a Shariah law-driven state.
Gumi Defends Public Funding
Gumi made the comments in a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday while reacting to Kano’s mass wedding programme for 1,500 couples.
He argued that governments in states operating under Shariah law have a responsibility to support people who cannot afford marriage, particularly where religious and state laws prohibit prostitution, fornication and adultery.
“In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,” Gumi said.
Kano Mass Wedding Programme
The comments followed the Kano State Government’s mass wedding programme, known as ‘Auren Gata’, which brought 1,500 couples together in marriage.
The ceremony was organised through the Kano State Hisbah Board as part of the government’s social intervention efforts. The programme is designed to reduce the financial burden of marriage and provide support to vulnerable couples starting their households.
The reported ₦1.5 billion expenditure has drawn public attention, particularly over whether state funds should be used to finance marriage ceremonies and related support.
Gumi Links Marriage Support to Social Policy
Gumi maintained that the intervention should be viewed within the context of the laws and social expectations of a Shariah-governed society.
He argued that supporting young people who are financially unable to marry could help address social problems associated with sexual relationships outside marriage, while also assisting vulnerable families.
The Kano mass wedding programme and Sheikh Gumi’s comments have renewed discussion around public spending on social interventions, religious governance and the responsibilities of state governments.
